Same Ndiaye school in Senegal (where I taught English)
This weekend I attended a fantastic conference put on right here at the U of M on education policy in developing countries. Although the title might imply that a number of education academics might be presenting papers, it was almost all economists (but are you really surprised?). Economists who study education in developing countries, that is.
Anyway, the papers and presentations were all outstanding, despite the fact that a lot of findings were rather dismal. The very first paper attempted to summarize conclusive evidence about what improves education outcomes (enrollment, attendance, cognitive skills). Some of the factors that improve education outcomes were frustratingly inconclusive (student-teacher ratio) and some were almost obvious (walls and desks). This summary paper is still in the working stages, but its fun to read with comments included.
At conferences like this, I feel both completely overwhelmed with the immense goal of improved education and development, but simultaneously fired up about the possibility of positive change.
Anyway, the papers and presentations were all outstanding, despite the fact that a lot of findings were rather dismal. The very first paper attempted to summarize conclusive evidence about what improves education outcomes (enrollment, attendance, cognitive skills). Some of the factors that improve education outcomes were frustratingly inconclusive (student-teacher ratio) and some were almost obvious (walls and desks). This summary paper is still in the working stages, but its fun to read with comments included.
At conferences like this, I feel both completely overwhelmed with the immense goal of improved education and development, but simultaneously fired up about the possibility of positive change.
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